Noticed a local '99 Beta Alp (250cc), licensed for the street, for sale for $2K

Q1: Assuming variables like condition/etc., can these be worth $2k or near it?

I know they are rare, just wondering if this is scalping or not.

Q2: Can a person who is 6'6" 250# fit on this bike?

Thanks.

CodeMonkee

03-10-2012 08:35 AM

Yeah, I understand it is a trials bike with a larger seat and tank. I have my Hussy for sitting down, just wondering about it for trail riding, practicing and for a second bike to putz around on.

CodeMonkee

03-10-2012 09:15 PM

Nobody else has any feedback?

Don't know why the one post was nuked. :huh

Sting32

03-12-2012 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeMonkee
(Post 18182735)

Yeah, I understand it is a trials bike with a larger seat and tank. I have my Hussy for sitting down, just wondering about it for trail riding, practicing and for a second bike to putz around on.

Code,

I have to hope my memory is good enough, but the older alps where 2 strokes ones, more close to a trials bike (bigger seat and tank).

The geometry of the frame is more close to that of a trials bike. Trials bikes are lightweight bikes, that have twitchy quick steering to enable what and how we ride at a snails pace. This could affect how you ride an alp, compared to MX based bikes at trail riding speeds.

I would have to say, myself being a life long trials rider, I would rather have the alp, than for me to go buy some other MX/enduro bike built & sold in USA (Ossa and Freeride not included since they are not A: "something I could buy cheap/used" are they even building them yet...) to go trail exploring, say in New Mexico/Colorado/Wyoming. Assuming that my goal was to see how far I could go down single tracks, not "how fast," if you see my point.

I want badly to goto Utah, and try the 5MOH, beta alp is what I might want to take yet looking at the pictures I have seen, Ill have my trials bike instead, some fun looking terrain. I dont care, Ill stay closer to camp, lol.

Anyway, back on track here...
How "trials" capable is it? I want you to be sure to read this very carefully: In the hands of a talanted (Expert/Master) rider I have seen a similiar themed/designed bike (96 pampera by Gasgas) clean a section that I consistantly took a point in, me being a decent "intermediate" class rider.

But, I caution you as a "newbie" to the sport of trials (if that would be the case) that the bike is NOT suited well for trials, IMHO. Sure better than a any MX/enduro bike, just think if you will actually want to become trials riding fool like some of us on here, get a real trials bike, goto meets (even if you just watch a few times).

It could make a really fun/light Girlfriend Bike, a step up, if you will from the trail 70 or trail 90 that I have for this purpous.

When I say well suited, this is coming from the standpoint that the taller seat, and exposed tank, plus weight and most of that kind of thing, will slow a newbie's learning curve significantly, and that is my observation and opinion. If you sit and ride while say your best friend of exactly same "prowess" was on a real trials bike I know he would get more "trialsy" much faster. A lot about trials is about breaking/relearning a lot of what you already "know" about bike control. Sitting down will slow the process, IMHO, so the seat is kinda like a crutch...

I know others will say I am wrong, and well it is your choice to take whichever opinion you choose.

I've wanted a Alp or Pampera for 12 years now, especially after watching that guy clean the section on his wife's pampera, that I had one heleuva time cleaning on my 06 gasgas pro trials bike. I figure I would have a lot of "dual purpose" type of fun, if had one.

your mileage may vary.

CodeMonkee

03-12-2012 09:03 AM

Thanks for the info.

I have no illusions that this would be something that I would use to compete in Trials except maybe on a beginner basis - and even then a newer dedicated bike would surely be better.

I doubt I would ride it in a Trials competition except maybe just an informal one. For one thing, I am an uncoordinated klutz - part of having borderline Asperger's - and while I can practice to get better, I will never ride well.

No, this is just purely for fun. Something of a light trail bike to practice on. Something that is easier to pick up when I invariably drop it. I am a very slow rider - and I am less about roaring around than I am about trying new trails and challenges.

The Hussy is tall, and heavier than a pure enduro bike. I like it, it would still be good for certain types of off-road riding, an SM and as a snowbike where as much power is needed as possible - but I would also like a lightweight trail bike.

I've wanted a "crossover" bike for sometime now. The Ossa Explorer might be nice, but it is considerably more expensive being a new bike and I don't think it is sold in the USA yet - maybe Canada - and it will probably never be plate-able here because it is a two stroke.

The Alp might be nice for a beginner in some ways, but like several people have warned in the past, a Trials or Trials like bike can be a handful too - it is made to be very responsive. I suppose a person could detune it or have a beginner start out in second or up the gearing a bit or a combo of that - not sure. I know Trials bikes are very easy to loft the front with.

I thought about getting a Christini 300 2WD, but I think I will wait on that.

empirecycleman

03-12-2012 12:24 PM

inseam callenged

Does anyone know if the Betal Alp or other trials type bike will work/fit/ergonomically in the ball park for a taller rider. My only trials bike experience was briefly trying out and old mid 80's Yamaha 350 trials bike that seemed like it might have fit a bit better if I had my legs and arms shortened. I'm 6'2 and most mx type bikes don't seem to fit that well either but I've learned to compensate and just ride em anyway.

Sting32

03-12-2012 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empirecycleman
(Post 18198455)

Does anyone know if the Betal Alp or other trials type bike will work/fit/ergonomically in the ball park for a taller rider. My only trials bike experience was briefly trying out and old mid 80's Yamaha 350 trials bike that seemed like it might have fit a bit better if I had my legs and arms shortened. I'm 6'2 and most mx type bikes don't seem to fit that well either but I've learned to compensate and just ride em anyway.

This is the "rub" on this, some people fit on these bikes, even big tall guys, even on old TY250's your "tried"...

From making a big assumption, and knowing people who were over 6ft tall that rode ty's for many years... I believe that The whole "probem" is or can be, the "alien" like feeling that IS how a trials bike is "ridden".

For one thing, the seat on older trials bikes, were not there to ride the bike with. Sure, you could sit down and ride, we do, to go from section to section, but mostly we JUST DO NOT sit to do ANYTHING else the bike was built to do!

We ride standing, modern bikes got rid of the seat all together, this is to make the bike more usable in trials competition. with seat gone, and actually frames removed that held any seat at all, makes the bike lighter and more ergonomic for TRIALS... You see that the "seat area" especially on more modern bikes than that yamaha, is shorter than MOST peoples knees, when that leg in on the footpeg peg. this gives you unbelievable reach with the other foot, when you need it...

Now let me expand on the symantics for a second... It is not foot rest, as people who own other types of motorcycles and newbies might refer to them as... it is like calling a gun a crutch, IMHO totally misleads people as the intended purpose, OK? Footrests, Those are only found on street bikes, where you firmly plant your arse, and ride...

On some bikes you rest your foot there, on trials bikes your feet are on there all the time (between dabs) But on trials bikes, you sometimes might rest your butt on a seat or seat area, but it is not ergonomic by any means.

SO, The Alp, has a seat, I imagine it is more ergonomic used for sitting, only for short guys. But that is the point, it is a "standup-able" bike, based on a standup "trials" bike, with a seat. I dont have one, saw a few, sat on one (pampera). I would have to say it is shorter person sit down ergonimcally, lots of times refered to as the "girlfriend/wife bike. Based on the fact that the bike standing next to a MX bike, other than an 80cc or less, will be overall, shorter. Can you, a big tall fella get along with that, I think so, just arent going to feel like you would on a big MX machine. Hope maybe that is hard to explain, but you might be able to figure out what I mean.

but then again this older alp at least, is a bike based on a trials bike, and my trials bike can be adjusted to carry a bigger person with spring collar adjustment (more preload) rear, and spacers in front I assume... but it just is one of those things... IT is a compromise at best, at any job they would be used for, if you know what I am trying to say...

That rider I posted about in my 1st post in here, I am positive he's taller than 5-10, he was taller than me Im about 5-7. again, though we're used to not being perefctly "Harley/Streetbike comfortable" type of comfortable, riding these, it is more of a semi comfortable sit down comfortable compared to a seatless trials bike. :lol3

CodeMonkee

03-12-2012 07:53 PM

Dirt bikes like Enduros and MX are stand up bikes too. That is how they are meant to be ridden. They do allow for sitting down because they are ridden longer distances than trials bikes and not all of that distance requires standing, whereas a Trials bike you are standing all the time in a competition.

The reason their seat height is so high is because of rear wheel travel. If you remove the seat you only get a few less inches of height.

I have no illusions about what an Alp is - I know it is a "mostly" standup bike and even if it wasn't it probably would not be ergonomic for me to do so. It won't be as bad as a Trials bike though.

Mostly I would want a bike like that for practicing my technique on something that is much lighter and is a bit easier for me to learn and practice on - especially at slower speeds. I've been riding for decades, and I started out off-road, but I am a very poor rider so I really need to practice, get in shape and develop some skill and endurance.

If I get such a bike, I would have to have it re-sprung though - I am way over the target weight for the bike, and as I learned with my Hussy, the proper suspension setup makes a bike difference in how the bike handles.

Ian640

03-13-2012 06:35 PM

1999 Beta Alp 250cc? I assume its the 2-stroke.

IMHO good for:

1. Technical trails.
2. The easy route at your local trial.
3. Getting to work and back if it's no more than a few miles.
4. The long distance trials we have in the UK (sorry).
5. Taking home a medal from a 'never get out of second gear' enduro.
6. Those who like having two or three bikes in one.

I have a 200cc Alp 4-stroke that is very different but a similar concept. £ or $ per smile it's the best value motorcycle I've ever owned (out of 20-something). If a 250cc 2-stroke Alp was available near me for $2000 and it was in ride away condition, and plate-able or plated, I'd buy it (even with my 34 inch inseam). Then again I like this kind of machine.

Cheers,

Ian.

CodeMonkee

03-17-2012 09:11 AM

Okay, so I went to look at it.

Gonna buy it.

I am going to have to get used to kick starting again. Seemed a bit cold blooded. The carb might need some adjustment. I am pretty sure I will have to have the suspension re-sprung for my weight.

CodeMonkee

03-17-2012 06:45 PM

What clutch does this use?

I know Rekluse makes auto-clutches for the later model Betas, is there one that would fit this bike??

Sting32

03-19-2012 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeMonkee
(Post 18240232)

What clutch does this use?

I know Rekluse makes auto-clutches for the later model Betas, is there one that would fit this bike??

On a trials bike with hydraulic clutch (which seems to me the alp would have?) your LEFT index finger, is your rekluse clutch. practice practice saves you whatever the kit costs, and you said you wanted some "trials" experience, :evil

CodeMonkee

03-20-2012 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sting32
(Post 18253651)

On a trials bike with hydraulic clutch (which seems to me the alp would have?) your LEFT index finger, is your rekluse clutch. practice practice saves you whatever the kit costs, and you said you wanted some "trials" experience, :evil

But but - I want to cheat! :evil

I love the Rekluse on my Husaberg.

motojunky

03-20-2012 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CodeMonkee
(Post 18259681)

But but - I want to cheat! :evil

I love the Rekluse on my Husaberg.

I understand that your primary goal is not competition and I think that's great. Fun is fun, no matter how you have it. That said, if you intend to do any "trialsy" riding, you will want a proper clutch. The auto clutch will be a disadvantage.

I also said I didn't care about competition and only wanted to play on my trials bike. After a while I entered a competition, just for fun. And I promptly got hooked and rode the rest of the series. :D The first event for my 2nd year of riding is in ~4 weeks.

WetSideRider

03-20-2012 01:22 PM

I've got a 'berg with a Rekluse and a Montesa 4RT.

I suggest you ride the little guy without an autoclutch for a while, then decide. Not being able to sit and paddle will take away much of the charm of an autoclutch, and the whole issue of rear freewheeling in undesireable situations will rear it's head, ugly or not.

I'll speculate that getting a Rekluse for that bike is unlikely. They don't do much with boutique brands, and the older the bike, the less likely. Somebody might be able to say whether a more modern kit "might" fit, but you'll be on your own. I went through that with an '09 Husky TE250, and chickened out. I got a deal on a 390 instead (the whole bike, not just the autoclutch :evil).

This guy will probably build one for you if you send in the basket, clutch parts, and a wallet full of dough.